NBA and Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving has refused a contract extension worth more than 100 million euros because of his desire not to be vaccinated against Covid-19.
He put beliefs before money. NBA star Kyrie Irving revealed on Monday at the North American Basketball League’s Media Day that he had turned down a four-year extension ahead of the 2020-21 season due to his desire to do not get vaccinated against Covid-19.
“I gave up four more years for 100 and a few million (euros) by maintaining my decision not to get vaccinated,” said the leader of the Brooklyn Nets. “To sign such a contract, to get vaccinated or not to get vaccinated… There is a level of uncertainty about your future (…) so I had to face this possibility of losing my job for this decision,” he added.
While he was forced to miss certain home matches, until the end of March, due to the health protocol in force in New York which prohibited non-vaccinated people from entering a gym, the player also indicated that he had received an “ultimatum” from his franchise to get vaccinated, if he wanted his contract extended.
“We were supposed to have all of that sorted out before training camp last season. And it just didn’t happen, because of my refusal. I just had to live with it. It was a hard pill to swallow,” said Kyrie Irving, who at the end of June exercised the option to stay one more season in Brooklyn, guaranteeing him a salary of 37 million dollars.
For his part, Nets manager Sean Marks refuted the idea of an “ultimatum”. “It’s just about wanting people who are reliable, present and responsible. All of us, the staff, the players, the coaches. This is not about imposing an ultimatum on someone to get vaccinated,” he insisted. Kyrie Irving and the Nets will open their season on October 20 against the New Orleans Pelicans.
